adidas Thunder Run 24
Well done to our adidas Thunder Run 24 competition winners!
In recent issues, we invited readers to enter a competition to join the Women’s Running team in the adidas Thunder Run 24 relay event in July. Here’s our five lucky winners… Congratulations to five readers who have been chosen to join the Women’s Running team in the adidas Thunder Run 24 event taking place next month at Catton Park in Derbyshire. The fantastic event, which takes place on 30th and 31st July, is a 24-hour off road, relay race against the clock consisting of a 10K loop through forests, bogs and up steep hills.Our five ladies below were chosen from many hopeful entrants who wanted to join WR team members Peta Bee and Ronnie Haydon to take on the Men’s Running team. The aim is for the girls to beat the boys! Our lucky five females will spend the weekend camping and competing and enjoying the experience of an off-road challenge to remember!Here are our five lucky winners...
Marnie is accountant who began running four years ago and has now already completed ten marathons, including the Paris Marathon earlier this year.‘I am in my mid 30s and I feel I am in the shape of my life,’ she says. ‘I have caught the running bug and I am always up for new and exciting challenges.’Marnie lives in Milton Keynes with her family and loves trail running. ‘I ran my first cross country race last winter and couldn’t believe how hard it was and how brilliant I felt as I crossed the finish line. I would love to see how I can cope with a 24 hour relay.’ Who will cheer her on? Her husband and two children, aged four and seven.
49-year-old Jo is a nurse and a mother of two who also teaches Pilates. She started running in her forties a few years ago and has taken part in various race distances, but it wasn’t until recently that Jo discovered a passion for trail running.Jo lives in Ockley, Surrey, where there is plenty of off-road running routes. She says: ‘I absolutely love running off road, particularly when it’s muddy. I go to British Military Fitness classes – we train rain, snow or heat. I took part in an off- road 10k race last year and discovered the joys of running through muddy ditches. Jo adds: ‘I am competitive and want to push myself further and further. I truly believe there is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it, particularly beating the boys! I love my active life and I try to be a good active role model for my two teenage kids.’Who will cheer her on? Her husband, who would return a week early from a sailing trip to support her – along with one of her best friends who also teaches Pilates.
Legal secretary Sarah was plagued by back problems when she was younger but it didn’t stop her running. She had an operation and then had to have a metal disc inserted in her back. Within four days of her op, she was back on her cross-trainer at home and within four weeks she was running six miles.‘I am now nearly 40 and I have completed my second Brighton Marathon in 4hrs 22mins and have signed up again next year,’ says Sarah.‘I trained incredibly hard, I had to get up sometimes at 4am to train and then had to get the kids up for school, and then head off to work. I run in all weather conditions – wind, rain, snow or sun – nothing will stop me. I’m highly competitive but my friends tell me I’m also a really fun gal!’Who will cheer her on? Her partner of 16 years and her children Zak, aged eight and Amy, aged seven.
After 26 years of playing hockey, Karen from Basingstoke, decided to retire and take up running instead. ‘I discovered a real passion for running after my daughter was born three years ago,’ says the 37-year-old.‘After trying for a baby for years we finally got pregnant but rather than being able to take our lovely new baby home she got whisked off to intensive care which was absolutely terrifying. However, the doctors and nurses were amazing and looked after Abigail with such great care. I started running and built up my stamina to do the Great South and Great North Runs to raise money for the NICU unit.’Karen is Assistant Director of Physical Education at the University of Cambridge, so she knows the value of exercise and has become a fan of distance running. She says running gives her the time and space to solve problems, refocus or switch off. ‘I love a challenge and getting a bit competitive so a 24-hour relay – yes please!’Who will cheer her on? Her husband Tim would come along to ‘feed me chocolate at regular intervals’!
26-year-old Jessica from Nottingham is a keen runner who enjoys half marathons and fits her running sessions in around training to be a student nurse.She describes herself as competitive. ‘I’m a good team player and will always stay loyal to my team and will support them, just like I’d want to be supported if I was having a tough race,’ she says. ‘I love a challenge and this is definitely that.’Who will cheer her on? Her long-term partner Christopher and her sister and father.
Journalist Ronnie lives in South London and is married with three children. She has been running for five years and completed the Snowdonia Marathon this year, coming 16th in her category and achieving an impressive time of 4hrs 11 minutes. She regularly enjoys trail running and loves camping and plans to drink plenty of beetroot juice to keep her going during TR24!
WR’s Contributing Editor and Team Leader Peta Bee joined an athletics club at the age 11 and eventually competed for Wales at distances from 800 metres to 10 miles. Peta still runs regularly and completed this year’s Virgin London Marathon and has done a total of five marathons to date (including one on roller skates!). A busy mum, Peta has also taken part in sports including underwater hockey and the World Indoor Rowing Championships. She has a UK Athletics Coaching Qualification and now leads a running group for beginners in Berkshire.
Marnie Byles
Jo Luckman
Sarah Trigg
Karen Pearce
Jessica Dobson
And the WR girls...
Ronnie Haydon
Peta Bee
